Google Pixel Watch 2: Price, Specs, and Features

Google has just announced the Pixel Watch 2, the next generation of its flagship smartwatch. Coming over a year after the original, the Pixel Watch 2 retains the same premium circular design but with upgraded internals and new capabilities. With improvements across the board, the Pixel Watch 2 looks to build upon the strengths of the original and address some of its weaknesses. Read on for full details on the pricing, specifications, features, and more for Google's newest wearable.

Key Specifications

The Pixel Watch 2 may look nearly identical to its predecessor on the outside, but it packs some meaningful upgrades within its compact circular frame. Let's take a closer look at some of the key specs and hardware capabilities of Google's new smartwatch.

Launch Date and Pricing

The Pixel Watch 2 was officially announced by Google on October 4, 2023 during its fall hardware event. You can now purchase the Pixel Watch 2 starting at $350 for the 41mm size. It is available directly from Google, as well as major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target etc.

The Pixel Watch 2 comes in three color and band combinations:

• Matte Black case with Obsidian band

• Polished Silver case with Bay blue band

• Champagne Gold case with Hazel band

Pricing is the same as the original Pixel Watch, making this sequel a great value given the upgrades like the new Snapdragon processor and additional health sensors. With wide retail availability, Google fans can easily pick up the Pixel Watch 2 today across various stores and online shops.

Design and Display

At first glance, the Pixel Watch 2 looks nearly identical to its predecessor. It features the same domed glass face and circular aluminum body in a single 41mm size.

The 41mm case is extremely lightweight at just 31g without the band. It measures 41 x 41 x 12.3mm, making it slim and comfortable for all-day wear.

Three colors are available: Matte Black, Polished Silver, and Champagne Gold. The Matte Black is the most subtle, while the Champagne Gold adds a touch of flair.

The 1.2” AMOLED display is bright and vibrant with a resolution of 450 x 450 pixels. Gorilla Glass 5 provides durability and scratch resistance.

Google re-engineered the watch crown this time around for smoother scrolling. The crown and side button also have a more seamless silhouette with the case.

Hardware and Performance

One of the biggest upgrades comes in the Pixel Watch 2’s internal hardware. It runs on the newer Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 chip, a noticeable bump up from the dated Exynos 9110 in the original.

This Snapdragon W5 delivers faster app loading times and smoother performance. It also enables the addition of the Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip for spatial awareness.

The Pixel Watch 2 comes equipped with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, providing enough memory for apps, music, and payments.

Battery Life

Battery life was one of the weakest aspects of the first-gen Pixel Watch. For the sequel, Google managed to cram a slightly larger 306mAh battery into the same compact frame.

Google claims the Pixel Watch 2 can last up to 24 hours on a single charge with the always-on display active. This would be a major improvement over the original’s 16-18 hours of runtime.

The watch charges to 80% in about 45 minutes via the included charger that magnetically attaches to the back.

Health Tracking and Sensors

The Pixel Watch 2 includes an array of sensors to provide comprehensive health and activity tracking. It has:

• Accelerometer

• Gyro

• Heart rate

• Altimeter

• Compass

• SpO2

• Thermometer (skin temperature)

• Skin conductance Ultra Wideband (UWB) support

New additions include a cEDA sensor that measures electrodermal activity to determine stress levels at any moment. There is also a skin temperature sensor that aids in sleep analysis.

The watch retains 5ATM water resistance, meaning it can be submerged up to 50 meters underwater.

Software and Features

Out of the box, the Pixel Watch 2 runs the latest Wear OS 4 software. This provides a smooth user interface optimized for the circular display.

Notable features include Google Pay for payments, offline Spotify playback, and downloadable apps from the Google Play Store.

A new Safety Check feature can notify your emergency contacts if you don’t interact with an alert after a customizable amount of time. This provides extra peace of mind when running or traveling solo.

Conclusion

The Pixel Watch 2 delivers meaningful but incremental upgrades across the board, refining and enhancing Google's smartwatch offering. With improvements to performance, battery life, health tracking capabilities, and useful additions like safety features, it builds upon the original solid foundation. Priced from $350, the Pixel Watch 2 brings better value with its upgrades under a familiar design. For those invested in the Google ecosystem, it represents an optimized wearable option with tighter integration. The Pixel Watch 2 won't completely reinvent the category but enhances the recipe while retaining the premium appeal.

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